Professor Emeritus at Ashesi University, Stephen Adei, has attributed the growing cases of examination malpractice in Ghana to what he describes as ‘schooling without learning’ and a broader decline in societal values.

In an interview with Joy FM on Monday, September 8, 2025, Prof Adei said the recent scandal, in which some Ghana Education Service (GES) officials, supervisors and invigilators were implicated in aiding candidates to cheat, was not an isolated act of corruption.

“What is happening is a reflection of the moral decadence in our society. When you see politicians openly bribing their way; it makes such act appear normal. When people say that so long as we get money, even if we poison the whole nation, we don’t care; then it shows how we view corruption. When there is widespread corruption in the public sector, and decadence in the homes, it becomes apparent that even parents are sponsoring this,” he stated.

His comments follow a Joy News documentary that revealed how invigilators demanded ‘tokens’ of about GH¢60 daily, while supervisors reportedly received envelopes of about GH¢400 to aid candidates to cheat in examination.

Lack of integrity cause of exam cheating – Prof. Adei

Candidates were also asked to contribute to what was described as an ‘Aseda Offertory’.

According to sources, some supervisors allegedly tipped off invigilators whenever WAEC or National Security officials visited examination centres.

Prof Adei also added that the malpractice culture stems from the weaknesses in Ghana’s basic education system.

“When you visit our primary schools, in the public sector, it appears that practically, the children who go to school there are totally illiterate. While, if you go to a place like Togo, by the second year in primary school, every child is literate. We are currently grappling with what is called schooling without learning,” he said.

He recommended reforms such as removing GES officials from invigilation, allowing WAEC to independently recruit invigilators and deploy them only at the last minute.

He also added that WAEC could also introduce personalised examination papers to curb collusion.

On sanctions, Prof Adei urged Parliament to impose stricter penalties for those involved in cheating.

WAEC announces arrests of students, teachers for WASSCE 2025 exams malpractices

“If you aid and you are caught, you are jailed for five years,” he said.

He also said parents must be held accountable, as many of them provide the money or mobile phones used by the children to facilitate the malpractice.

“This is really a serious offence. We must punish the teachers, the regulators, and parents whose children are caught,” he stressed.

MRA/VPO

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